Low purring noise from within his house

[TerryThePiggy]

Hello all, I adopted my cavy a mere two weeks ago, so I'm still new to a lot of behaviour!
I'm sitting at my desk and I can hear him making a sort of growl/purr noise from within his house in his cage. It's not as low as the ones I've heard on youtube... does anyone know what this means? I'm worried he might be agitated at a noise in my house or something!

 

[LittleGems]

I’ve heard this many times with my pig Bella and I’m still not sure what it is , I’m quite sure that it isn’t worry or anger as she does it very calmly

 

[Wiebke]

Hello all, I adopted my cavy a mere two weeks ago, so I'm still new to a lot of behaviour!
I'm sitting at my desk and I can hear him making a sort of growl/purr noise from within his house in his cage. It's not as low as the ones I've heard on youtube... does anyone know what this means? I'm worried he might be agitated at a noise in my house or something!

Hi! It is most likely rumbling or rumblestrutting, which is normal interactive boar behaviour.

If you can, please consider getting him a same sex companion, ideally from a rescue that offers dating at the rescue to make sure that they are personality compatible. Guinea pigs are group animal and not wired to be on their own. Their social interaction is in fact quite complex; something vital that single guinea pigs completely miss out on.
Companionship

 

[TerryThePiggy]

thank you, and yes i plan to get him a friend but i need to get him neutered first, can anyone suggest how long i should let him settle in in his new home before getting him neutered? i will have had him for coming up to 2 weeks soon.

 

[Piggies&buns]

If you get him a male friend then he obviously won’t need to be neutered and you will be able to get him a friend quicker. Taking him to a rescue centre and going boar dating is a great way to get him a friend as he will choose his friend himself and that way you know the bonding has a higher chance of success.
If you do want him to have a female friend, then you will need to find a vet who has experience on doing the surgery on guinea pigs (to minimise the risks). As long as he is fit and healthy to have the operation then you could book him in according to your vets instruction. He will then need to wait a minimum of six weeks to become sterile before he can be put with a female.

 

[Wiebke]

thank you, and yes i plan to get him a friend but i need to get him neutered first, can anyone suggest how long i should let him settle in in his new home before getting him neutered? i will have had him for coming up to 2 weeks soon.

You can neuter anytime once your vet is happy with his weight and the state of his testicles (most vets prefer them descended), but you may find these guides here for settling him in and making friends with him helpful (they are all part of our new owners guide collection as is a bonding and social interactive behaviours guide), as well as our neutering guide, which you will hopefully find helpful and informative.

Sadly there are no rescues in NI that offer boar dating at the rescue in your part of the world (nor in Ireland to my knowledge).

Neutered / De-sexed Boars And Neutering Operations: Myths And Facts

How Do I Settle Shy New Guinea Pigs?
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig
Bonding: Illustrated Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics

Lots more practical and informative advice on a wide range of topics via this link here: Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides